Versus (band)

Versus
Versus performing live in New York City
Background information
Origin	New York City, U.S.
Genres	Indie rock noise rock
Years active	1990–2001, 2007–present
Labels	TeenBeat, Caroline, Merge
Members	Richard Baluyut Fontaine Toups Edward Baluyut Margaret White
Past members	Robert Hale James Baluyut Patrick Ramos

Versus is an American indie rock band formed in New York City in 1990 by vocalist and guitarist Richard Baluyut, bassist Fontaine Toups and drummer Edward Baluyut.^[1] Richard Baluyut and Toups remained the two core members throughout the band's history.^[2] The band was noted for their marriage of indie pop songwriting and vocal harmonies to the "loud-soft" dynamics of grunge and alternative rock. They were also noted for their proficient and disciplined musicianship and for their credo of "meat, sports, and rock", none of which had much currency in the early 1990s American indie scene.^[2] The band was named after the Mission of Burma album Vs.^[3]

Versus has counted at least two and sometimes three of the Filipino-American Baluyut brothers as members throughout its existence.^[4] The New York Times listed Versus as one of the most prominent 1990s American indie rock bands featuring Asian American members.^[5] The band has been signed to TeenBeat Records, Caroline Records and Merge Records.^[6][7]

The band broke up in 2001 but reunited in 2007 and in 2009, released their first album in a decade. After another lengthy break, the band released their sixth album Ex Voto in 2019, their first in nine years.